These are some more birds I saw in New Jersey. I think the above picture is a female and a male. They say females have an orange bill. This one on a different image does appear to have an area of orange on it. This male might in in the transition between non-breeding to a breeding male. The examples of breeding males I see online show a black head tinged with green, reddish brown flanks with a white chest. This one seems to have more dark areas on its chest. It may be the lighting conditions but I did not see much, if any green on it’s head.
Nonbreeding Male
Northern Shoveler in New Jersey
All About Birds identifies nonbreeding males as darker overall. They have a yellow eye. All About Birds lists New Jersey as its non-breeding area.
I saw this tern, most likely a Forster’s Tern, at sunrise near the ocean in New Jersey. The larger birds were also flying around this time , but they were very far away. The terns are always ready to oblige it seems.
This great blue heron was not actively hunting, or did not appear to be. It may have been enjoying golden hour before sunset.
Great Blue Heron in Golden Light
This was taken in New Jersey on a previous trip from a great distance with a zoom lens. I wonder how the animals and birds are fairing in the Nor’Easter. Have a Happy Monday!
This is one of those at least I caught it photos. If I remember correctly the beach was closed beyond where I sat because of it being a nesting area for most likely another bird. This oyster catcher flew into the area in front of me and was looking for a meal.
American Oyster Catcher in NJ
According to All About Birds “American Oystercatchers are the only birds in their environment with the ability to open large molluscs such as clams and oysters.”
American Oyster Catcher in NJ
Even though it was still quite a distance, at least I saw it. These were taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped. Have a great Sunday!
This was one of the many birds I saw in Southern New Jersey on a trip. It is a belted kingfisher. I am not seeing the belly, but I am guessing it is a male.
Kingfisher in Flight
There was a large contingent of birds in this spot, and there appeared to be fish for everyone. According to All About Birds the kingfisher eats fish like “sticklebacks, mummichogs, trout, and stonerollers. They also eat crayfish and may eat other crustaceans, mollusks, insects, amphibians, reptiles, young birds, small mammals, and even berries.”
Frequently I see them perched on a tree branch looking down in the water for fish swimming by. They dive in the water when they spot one. Have a happy Wednesday!
I was not sure what bird this was. The first choice under Merlin app is Forster’s tern. It appears like a non breeding adult.
It kept flying to an outtake area of a culvert as it came out from under a road. The tide was going out and the tern took advantage of fish coming out into the bay from the wetlands area. I saw it capture several fish flying in and out.
I almost thought it was showing off as this fish it carried around in a circle giving me lots of opportunities to get off some shots. Was he showing off? Or was he looking for a dining spot? Have a happy Monday!
Black skimmer gets it’s name because it skims the surface of the water with it’s open bill. They are trying to feel the fish in the water.
Black Skimmer
I caught this bird flying at different times during the day, but saw more activity early morning and near sunset. I know fishermen like those times as well as when I am putting in a kayak early morning or taking out before dark I see them in their boats. All About Birds says “Its use of touch to catch fish lets it be successful in low light or darkness.”
Black Skimmer- This one was taken on a different day in different lighting conditions.
Coastal New Jersey is in it’s breeding area. However, I think I only observed adults in August.
Black Skimmer
They eat many kinds of fish including: smelt, flounder, menhaden, herring, among others. They will also go after shrimp and blue crab. They mostly choose fish 5 inches or less it sounds.
Black Skimmer
I was on a road with water on both sides and was surprised how close they would fly to me. Frequently they would fly over the road quite close. Either they were totally oblivious to me standing there, or they were giving me a show. Have a great week!
These white ibis babies were younger than the previous ones I posted. It looks like this one is on a small nest within a tree. The babies do not really look a lot like the parents.
White Ibis Babies
When baby Ibises hatch their bills are straight. They do not curve. The beaks start to curve at about 14 days old. I usually do not like using Wikipedia. They say they get this “Stork, Ibises, and Spoonbills of the World” by James Hancock , which was not accessible online. “The newly hatched American white ibis is covered with violet down feathers, deepening to dark brown or black on the head and wings….develops three black rings from around day six, before turning grey by around six weeks of age. ..then a few weeks later turns pink.”
White Ibis Babies- Tired
On the above two pictures you can see the three grey rings on the beak. So in August this baby white ibis was after 6 days old, but before 6 weeks old.
White Ibis Babies
According to NPS.gov immature ibis are dark brown with a white belly and white rump.These ibis seem to be older than the first two pictures. They would seem to be less than 6 weeks old though as they still have the three gray rings on their beak. Their feathers seem more brownish.
White Ibis Babies
I felt bad for the mom with the two babies. They seemed to be constantly chatting away to her. I am guessing they were begging for food. Animal parents get little sleep either it appears. White Ibis are not even supposed to be in NJ, however they are there in multiple spots. The Merlin App would not even provide a match for it. I hope you had a restful Labor Day.
I think maps need to be updated. This is another bird that is out of its breeding range. Their breeding area according to All About Birds is mostly in the deep south of the US, except a small swath of Delaware and Maryland. It’s year round range is in the states that border the Gulf of Mexico near the gulf.
White Ibis August
I spotted this with a group of others who were nesting in trees with other birds such as herons etc. in New Jersey.
White Ibis August
White Ibis are large wading birds who live in wetlands or near the coast. The information says they tend to hang out in large groups. I did see them in large groups from afar with what appeared to be Glossy Ibis in one location. I also saw one or two hunting for food a short flight from their nesting area with herons and ducks.
White Ibis August
White Ibis fly awkwardly in for a landing in trees.
Juvenile
White Ibis August
According to All About Birds ” Parents feed the chicks for 40–60 days after they leave the nest (but before they leave the colony) until they can forage by themselves. ”
This baby followed an adult to a body of water to forage.
White Ibis August
This juvenile looked like it might be on its own soon. Have a happy Sunday!
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 